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堯 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
堯yáoa legendary ancient emperor-sagex, 12 strokes, radical 土
yáo(yao2)yao T2
  1. 1a legendary ancient emperor-sage
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March 24, 2026

堯yáo(yao2)

堯 (yáo) refers to a legendary ancient emperor-sage in Chinese history known for his wisdom and benevolence. He is often celebrated as a model ruler and is associated with the ideals of virtue, governance, and harmony, particularly during the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.

Strokes12Radical土
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 堯 is often cited in discussions about governance and moral leadership, illustrating the importance of virtue in rulers. His story is integral to the Confucian ideal of ruler-subject relationships.

Memory tip

Imagine a wise old sage sitting on a majestic mountain (the character's structure suggests 'mountain' with the '土' radical at the bottom). Picture him teaching the importance of good governance to his followers, which helps you remember both the pronunciation 'yáo' and its meaning as a revered ruler.

Meanings of 堯

yáo(yao2)
1a legendary ancient emperor-sage
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 堯

堯Simplified
12Strokes
土Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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AI study notes for 堯

Usage Notes

堯 is typically used in historical or literary contexts, often referring to idealized leadership. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words or characters that pertain to different meanings. It is more common in formal discussions about Chinese history than in everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 堯 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other historical characters like 禹 (Yǔ) and 伏羲 (Fúxī), which are often studied together. Focus on recognizing its use in classical texts and understanding its significance in Chinese culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 堯 with similar characters like 尧 (yáo), which has a different meaning (a character often used in names). It's essential to pay attention to context and pronunciation to avoid misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 堯

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Etymology of 堯

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 堯. Depicts a mound of dirt (土) on top of a platorm (兀), representing the meaning "tall; lofty", later used to describe the legendary Emperor Yao.

Memory hint

A mound 垚 borne by a man 兀; 垚 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 堯?

Decomposition of 堯

IDS Structure⿱垚兀
堯Full character
=
垚yao2
top
兀Wu4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 堯?

How to say a legendary ancient emperor-sage in Chinese

“a legendary ancient emperor-sage” in Chinese is堯yáo

堯 (yáo) refers to a legendary ancient emperor-sage in Chinese history known for his wisdom and benevolence. He is often celebrated as a model ruler and is associated with the ideals of virtue, governance, and harmony, particularly during the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.

When to use 堯

堯 is typically used in historical or literary contexts, often referring to idealized leadership. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words or characters that pertain to different meanings. It is more common in formal discussions about Chinese history than in everyday conversation.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 堯 with similar characters like 尧 (yáo), which has a different meaning (a character often used in names). It's essential to pay attention to context and pronunciation to avoid misunderstandings.

Write 堯

堯

Practice writing 堯 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 堯

Words containing this character7
尧yáosurname Yao堯
尧都区Yaodu district of Linfen city 臨汾市|临汾市[Lín​fén​shì], Shanxi堯都區
唐尧Yao or Tang Yao (c. 2200 BC), one of Five legendary Emperors 五帝[wǔ​dì], second son of Di Ku 帝嚳|帝喾[Dì​Kù]唐堯
赵忠尧Zhao Zhongyao (1902-1998), Chinese pioneer nuclear physicist趙忠堯
隆尧县Longyao county in Xingtai 邢台[Xíng​tái], Hebei隆堯縣
尧都Yaodu district of Linfen city 臨汾市|临汾市[Lín​fén​shì], Shanxi堯都
隆尧Longyao county in Xingtai 邢台[Xíng​tái], Hebei隆堯
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 堯

What does 尧都区 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 堯

堯 symbolizes ideal leadership and moral governance, often representing the qualities of wisdom and benevolence.

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